We were lucky to catch up with Amanda Ware recently and have shared our conversation below.
Amanda , appreciate you joining us today. Naming anything – including a business – is so hard. Right? What’s the story behind how you came up with the name of your brand?
Chillin’ Cocktail is a name my husband and I created. Chillin’ has a little bit of a double entendre for cold drinks as well as hanging out with your friends and family! We just loved the way it described our vibe as a company.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
Absolutely! Well, my name is Amanda, and my husband, Jake, and I are the proud owners of Chillin’ Cocktail. Our journey into the frozen cocktail business actually began with a shared love for frozen cocktails and hosting parties. We used to rent margarita machines regularly for our gatherings, but we often found ourselves frustrated with the lack of customer service and reliability from rental companies.
As someone who’s had experience in the wedding industry, particularly in beauty services, and Jake with bar services, we saw an opportunity to merge our expertise and passion to fill a gap in the market. We wanted to offer not just delicious frozen cocktails but also exceptional customer service, something we felt was missing in the industry.
That’s how Chillin’ Cocktail came to be. We provide a range of frozen cocktail machines for events, from weddings to corporate parties and everything in between. Our mission is simple: to bring the joy of frozen cocktails to any occasion while ensuring our clients receive top-notch service from start to finish.
What sets us apart is our dedication to responsiveness and customer satisfaction. We understand the importance of communication and reliability when it comes to event planning, which is why we make it a priority to be there for our clients every step of the way. Whether it’s helping them choose the perfect cocktail flavors or ensuring our machines are set up and ready to go on time, we go above and beyond to exceed expectations.
We’re incredibly proud of the relationships we’ve built with our clients and the positive feedback we’ve received about both our cocktails and our service. Knowing that we’ve helped make someone’s special day even more memorable is truly rewarding.
Ultimately, what we want potential clients to know about Chillin’ Cocktail is that we’re not just a rental service; we’re a partner in creating unforgettable experiences. From our delicious cocktails to our personalized approach, we’re here to make every event a success.
Can you open up about how you funded your business?
When we launched Chillin’ Cocktail two years ago, it was truly a grassroots endeavor. We didn’t have a large stash of capital to kickstart things, so we had to get creative. Our initial investment came from personal savings, pooling together what we could spare to purchase our first margarita machine. It was a modest beginning, but we were determined to make it work.
Inspiration struck when I stumbled upon a story about Mark Cuban, who emphasized the importance of starting small, spending little to no money, and scaling up gradually. That resonated with us. We embraced the concept of lean entrepreneurship, focusing on providing excellent service with minimal resources.
With just one margarita machine, a business phone number, and an email address, we hit the ground running. We hustled to spread the word about our services, relying on word-of-mouth referrals and networking within our community. Every rental was a stepping stone, reinvesting the profits back into the business.
As our client base grew and demand for our services increased, we were able to expand our offerings. Adding bar services was a significant milestone for us, but it was made possible by the incremental growth we experienced over time.
It wasn’t always easy. There were moments of uncertainty and challenges along the way. But each hurdle we faced only made us more determined to succeed. We hustled, we innovated, and most importantly, we stayed true to our vision.
Fast forward to today, and I couldn’t be prouder of how far we’ve come. With eight weddings already booked this year and numerous machine rentals, we’re proof that you don’t need a massive influx of capital to build a successful business. It’s about starting small, staying agile, and seizing every opportunity that comes your way.
Where do you think you get most of your clients from?
Surprisingly, our number one source for new clients has been Facebook! Yes, you read that right. In a world dominated by search engines and wedding platforms, Facebook has emerged as our top performer.
It’s fascinating how social media has transformed the landscape of business marketing. Through strategic targeting and engaging content, we’ve been able to reach our ideal clientele right where they spend their time online. I attribute much of our success on Facebook to a course I took on leveraging ad dollars effectively. Learning how to maximize our budget and target specific demographics has been a game-changer.
Of course, Google comes in at a close second. Google ads have been a valuable tool for increasing our online visibility and capturing potential clients actively searching for our services. However, what sets Facebook apart is the better return on investment we’ve experienced. Google is a more pricey option.
Another significant contributor to our client acquisition strategy is The Knot. As a trusted platform for couples planning their weddings, The Knot has provided us with a steady stream of leads and bookings. Its comprehensive vendor directory and wedding planning resources make it a go-to destination for engaged couples.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.chillincocktail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chillincocktail
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chillincocktail